I'd take her somewhere else, it should be very simple to remove a wart. In the mean time, could you put a bandage on it so it won't get blood on everything? I've had many growths removed from my past dogs, it would never any big deal...some of them were wart like. They just cut them off and put in a stitch or two.

Thank you both. I realize that when you think of 'a wart', you may not picture an inch-long growth the diameter of your finger that is protruding from the ear. It's necrotic (the 'stink'). There is no way to 'get all of it' without cutting into the ear, possibly to the bone. If you don't 'get it all' it will regenerate.

The biopsy at the surgery in December showed no cancer.

It definitely sounds unpleasant. I still don't think euthanasia is the answer unless the animal is suffering, but that's just me.

If it bothers you so much, I would have the wart removed again even if it's going to regenerate.

I'd consult with a different vet.

I too would check with a different vet.

Would try another vet, just to be sure. We had a cat with very strange symptoms ---- she consulted with many - and our main vet did suggest some when she had no success with the issue. Your vet should have suggested a consult with a dermatology specialist, I'd think.

I think it is a decision only you can make. I would get a second opinion on the wart in his ear. Is there a vet school near you where he could be seen by a dermatologist? Here in Ames, we have a vet school with lots of specialists and I would think there might be one in Chicago.

I'd take the dog to a board certified veterinary dermatologist. Here's a practice north of Chicago that has two, is this nearby, have you heard of this place?

Vet Dermatologists

I would see a specialist. There might be something that can work for both of you.

We are fortunate to have all sorts of specialists in my metro area, and I think we've seen most of them at one time or another!

I hope you and your precious old dog can get relief. I would worry about the continued stress from pain and treatment.

Any surgery and/or anesthesia for an old dog can be risky.

Trying to decide when the right time to euthanize is so very hard. It sounds as if this dog has been well taken care of, you have seen to special diets, meds and surgeries and you had this biopsied, a pet sitter, this all leads me to think this dog has been a priority in your life. Im getting that you are frustrated and feeling run down trying to keep up with this. Is there a possibly of getting help to make it easier on yourself, until you are feeling better? Quick stop is an styptic powder, often used to stop nails from bleeding if cut too short. It will help to stop bleeding but not prevent new bleeding from starting. It it possible to place gauze in the ear next to the wart and then bandage would he tolerate this? It never hurts to ask your vet for a referral, or a good (honest) vet will help you evaluate the quality of your pets life. I can't say from the outside if this is his time or not, I wish you good thoughts as you go through this difficult time.

If the dog is 15, I think it is perfectly fine to consider that the dog has lived a full lifespan, and then some (typical lifespan of a Westie is 12 - 14 years. I'd be grateful, in fact, that he's not 6 or 7, because that would make such a decision very difficult. You are the dog's master and he expects you to make decisions for him. I think at 15, any decision you make is the correct one.

I agree with the others, see another vet. The size and quick regrowth makes me think of a malignant tumor. I think in order to make a good decision you need to 1) Be well and 2) Know what is going on with this growth and whether it is local or if a tumor whether it has metastasized.

I also agree that any decision you make will be a correct one at this point, but it may be far easier to make a decision based on the prognosis once another vet checks him out.

I don't know what to say but know you will make the best decision for poor Eliot. It's difficult since you aren't feeling up to doing much but taking care of yourself. Hugs to you, loving pat-pat to El. Susan

are you anywhere close to a vet/animal college? i'm talking someplace like our Michigan state u (yes, they do more than play basketball)....they might have a study or unpublished papers....

You are all so nice. Thanks for your thoughtful replies.

I don't see us 'vet-shopping', as we did to no avail with our last old dog. A growth like this has no easy solution, and a long surgery is risky.

Eliot is our fourth Westie in 50 years of marriage. One reason we chose the breed was because Westies don't shed. When our third, Pip, died at 16 we had no dog for two years. We put our names on a waiting list at Westie Rescue, expecting to get an older dog. We got a three-month-old from a puppy farm. He had chicken lice and was stir crazy. He was so underweight that we left two letters off his name.

He is not entirely "Westie". He sheds, has a sour stomach, can't be left alone outdoors lest he eat junk, throws up regularly, and isn't very bright. He's hard on my asthma. But, as you all know, once you take a dog home, you are going to keep him -- and we have, for 15 years.

My DH is loathe to be without a dog to walk, but we had decided a year ago that we would not replace El, one reason being that we wanted to stay in Maui for three months in winter. Our sitter is kind and reliable, but it's not fair to a dog.

As I said, we'll make no decisions until I feel better. I appreciate your replies.

Is the wart on the ear flap or down in the ear?

When you have exhausted what you can do, then maybe your decision will be an easier one to make.

Oh, I kind of feel like you've made the decision. Now, you just have to come to terms with it?

Hey, a new dog will be just fine with his/her sitter for three months while you're in Maui.

It doesn't sound like a wart to me. I'd get a 2nd opinion unless you've made your decision to put him, down. It might be able to be treated with radiation to shrink it. I don't know how that would be done on an animal or if it's even possible, just a thought.

We haven't made a decision. This evening I thought of phoning the vet we used for our other dogs before we moved. Our DS continues to use that animal hospital. I'll try that tomorrow.

Moonie -- The growth is not on the ear flap. It's growing out of the front of the ear canal. It's really hard to keep the surrounding canals clean.

Mare -- Thank for the idea about radiation. That might not require a general anesthesia...but it sounds stressful.

Oops. El just threw up his dinner. This is happening more frequently. He starts to whimper, then...back comes dinner 30 minutes after he's eaten. I'm pretty sure there's more to this than just what's visible.

I've read that apple cider vinegar dabbed on a dog's (or a human's) wart twice a day will make the wart disappear in a couple weeks. Might burn a bit if the dog is bleeding, but worth a try IMO. I know from experience that ACV works wonders on human skin tags! If the Quick Stop is a powder, it is similar to what we have here for a bleeding nail... works instantly to stop the bleeding.

Hope El can stick around for a while longer. It does sound like there may be something else wrong with him though if he is vomiting so frequently.

Chisue, I highly and strongly recommend that you see the vet specialist in Buffalo Grove that Snidely linked to if they are in reasonable distance to you. They are wonderful, caring people. His tummy issues may be related to the growth also. They can help, as I know from personal experience with them.

Saying a little prayer here that you can reach a decision and feel you've done the right thing. Either decision is a good one and you certainly know your Westie has the best owner. Good luck.

Thanks, pkramer, for the local endorsement. I've emailed the Buffalo Grove vet this morning, asking if there are options other than plastic surgery for Eliot's nasty *wart*. I suspect this is growing IN as well as OUT. He's sneezing and hacking. Our Westie Pip developed growths in his sinuses before we had to put him down just shy of 17.

Yayagal -- Aw, you are so kind. Yes, we have been responsible with all our dogs. Maybe there's some as-yet-unknown "fix" for this thing, but I think we'd be foolish to prolong an impending dead end, waiting until he shows pain. (Dogs are pretty good at faking it!)

I'm sorry you're having to see your beloved Eliot go through this, and have to face the decision. I know you and your dh will make a good and compassionate one.

Hi Chisue - Caring for a senior pet is a full time job. ;) But, it's one we do with love. I have senior pets myself, so I know what a commitment it is to take care of them. It's hard, but you do everything that you can. The ear growth sounds extremely frustrating so I hope that you can find some relief. Hang in there!

Chisue, I feel for what you are going through for I have been going through something similar with my 16 year old lab. My vet said nothing could be done for the tumors growing in my dog's ear because he was too old to have the type of surgery needed. His ear drains nasty smelly fluid and parts of the tumor bleed. They don't seem to cause him pain though because he lets me touch and clean his ear out. I use oval quilted makeup cotton pads that I stick in his ear to try to keep him dry. I also use an antiseptic wash and peroxide on the fur area. under where the ear drains

Now what I am going to tell you is nasty and if you let your dog outside with his smelly ear when it gets warm don't let him go out alone. I went away for a few days in May and the person that was here taking care of my dog didn't realize the importance of keeping his neck area clean where the fluid drained out from the ear. When I came home the house smelled of death and it was the first time ever I heard my dog whimper. I had washed him down when I came home and didn't notice anything. The next day I took him to the vet and right away he said he smelled rotting flesh. In the few days I was away my poor dog had a fly lay eggs on him that burrowed deep into his neck. I was mortified when the vet shaved his neck and there were maggots under the fur. My dog is black and even though I had washed him I couldn't see them under his fur. I had never seen a maggot in my life and never want to again. The vet cut out the damaged flesh and stapled it up, he wasn't sure the damage could be contained or even healed. He was given some injections and one was a pesticide to kill the maggots. I had to take the dog to the vet every night after work to be cleaned out and restapled. My dog was so good and never showed any pain. I wanted to put him down then but my sister said she would take care of him and she took such good care of him and to the vets amazement the infection disappeared and Loki's neck area healed. It was a long summer and because it was a buggy summer the flies were terrible and I had to watch Loki closely when he went outside. He no longer could lie on the porch liked he loved to do.

The vet said one fly can lay 100's of eggs and it only takes hours for the larvae to go deep into the flesh. Anything smelly attracts them so please keep an eye on your dog. I am thankful I never let my dog sleep on my bed or furniture. Even with his black fur you could not see the white maggots that were under it.

My dog is going to be put down most likely this Friday, he has lost the use of his back legs and it has been a long two months of taking care of him and his needs and keeping him clean. I have been spending a fortune on incontinence items to keep him dry. He is happy and alert and it breaks my heart but it is time. The vet is coming to the house to euthanize him. If anyone has an incontinent male dog I found the best thing to use on Amazon. My dog has been a wonderful pet for 16 1/2 years and it breaks my heart but it is time to let him go.

Yes it is, and Bless you cherryfizz for making that decision. It's not easy, I know. (((((cherry fizz and Loki))))

Oh Cherryfizz, my heart goes out to you and Loki. I agree it's time to let him go with dignity.

Chisue, you will make the right decision for you and for El. It's a heart wrenching choice. Cherryfizz, my heart is breaking for you also. We went through a lot of the same things with our sweet Jack 2 years ago. He had horrible, thick black stuff oozing out of his ear. His back legs wouldn't support him anymore. We had to carry him outside, then hold him up by his haunches so he could go to the bathroom.

Hearing these stories just reaffirms my decision to not get another dog. I MISS having a dog. I DO NOT want to go through again what you guys are going through right now. I am to the point where I won't say NEVER again, but I can't imagine we will. DH feels the same way. He and Jack were buddies. Jack was his shadow. It broke our hearts losing him. Best of luck to you and your sweet pets. Our Jack.....

Over the years, I've had several dogs and ONE vet. She is super-competent, kind, just about the perfect vet. Did I mention she also charges an awful lot? Well, maybe not perfect. I would never put down a dog unless it was showing outward signs of pain or not eating. My current dog has several "warts" which my vet has told me to leave alone, sometimes warts turn out to be the outer "mast " cells of cancer. Since you've already ruled out cancer, I would do whatever is needed to get this wart/tumor/growth/whatever it is removed. Even if you have to drive to another town for a second opinion. You will add years of comfortable time together for you and your pet, and maybe even years to his life.

Cherry, I wanted to message you rather than hijack Chisue's thread, but you don't have messaging enabled. Just wanted to tell you I'm so sorry about your dear dog and all you are going through with him. It's so heartbreaking. I'm thinking of you. You are having a rough week.

Thanks, I didn't want to hijack Chisue's thread either with my post but would have rather messaged her but didn't know how to do it. I have to figure out how to enable messages. It is so heartbreaking to lose a beloved pet.

Oh, my heart is breaking for you both, CherryFizz and Chisue. Our pets are family and making decisions like this are the hardest thing.

Anne, go into your personal profile "Your Houzz" top right corner of the page.

Edit Profile, then click on Advanced Settings

Scroll to near the bottom and on Privacy Settings, check the Allow users to follow me, and choose "Allow Anyone to Message Me."

Chisue and cherryfizz - I feel for both of you. We went through it with our Rocky in the fall. We questioned if we were making the right choice at the right time. We had a friend who said that it is better to do it a few days too early, than a moment too late. That helped us get through the initial grieving. I hope the idea helps bring you peace too.

Chisue, how's Eliot doing?